Aerial view of Hawks Cay Resort pool area, showcasing its expansive size and inviting blue waters, perfect for families seeking relaxation and fun.
For families dreaming of a laid-back yet luxurious getaway, the Florida Keys beckon with their sun-kissed shores and tranquil turquoise waters. Having explored various luxury resorts across the Keys, our family was drawn to experience the newly renovated Hawks Cay Resort. Following a significant $50 million refurbishment after Hurricane Irma, we were eager to discover what made this resort a standout destination for families. Our experience at Hawks Cay Resort exceeded expectations, providing an exceptional family vacation that catered perfectly to our needs and desires for a memorable escape in the Keys.
Family-Friendly Accommodation Designed for Comfort and Convenience
One of the most appealing aspects of Hawks Cay Resort for families is their thoughtfully designed and recently renovated family guest rooms. The inclusion of bunk beds in these rooms instantly elevates the excitement for children. Featuring a full-size lower bunk and a twin upper bunk, these beds comfortably accommodate children of all ages, even allowing two smaller kids to share the bottom bunk. Each bunk area is equipped with personal charging ports and a dedicated TV, providing kids with their own private and entertaining space. These family guest rooms are also generously sized at nearly 500 square feet, offering ample room for everyone to relax. For larger families or groups traveling together, connecting family guest rooms are available, providing even more space and convenience.
A family happily posing in their Hawks Cay Resort family room, highlighting the bunk beds and spaciousness ideal for a comfortable family vacation.
Beyond the family guest rooms, Hawks Cay offers diverse accommodation options to suit different family preferences. Guest rooms in the main building with lanais provide direct access to the pool area, a fantastic choice for families who prioritize poolside convenience and enjoy easy access to the resort’s main attractions. These rooms typically feature two queen beds. For families seeking more expansive living space, townhomes are also available. However, it’s advisable to research townhomes thoroughly as they are individually owned and vary in terms of updates and amenities. For our family, the family guest room in the main building proved to be the perfect choice, offering proximity to the main resort pool and the unique saltwater lagoon.
Endless Family Activities and Adventures in the Florida Keys
Hawks Cay Resort truly excels in providing a wide array of family activities, ensuring there’s never a dull moment for guests of all ages. Throughout the day, an extensive schedule of poolside activities keeps families entertained, extending into the evening with engaging events. For active families like ours, this abundance of options distinguishes Hawks Cay from other Florida Keys resorts that may offer fewer on-site activities beyond water-based excursions.
Kayaks and paddleboards in the saltwater lagoon at Hawks Cay Resort, showcasing the complimentary water activities available for families to enjoy in a safe and beautiful environment.
The resort’s unique saltwater lagoon is a major highlight, offering complimentary kayaks and paddleboards for guests as part of the resort fee. Coral Cay, the dedicated kids’ area, is packed with fun features including a pirate ship pool, a soccer field, a miniature golf course, and a playground. While our children were slightly older for the pirate ship pool, we thoroughly enjoyed playing putt-putt as a fun family activity away from the main pools.
Children playing putt-putt at Hawks Cay Resort, demonstrating the variety of family-friendly activities available beyond swimming and water sports.
Dolphin Connection: An Unforgettable On-Site Dolphin Encounter
A truly unique feature of Hawks Cay Resort is its on-site Dolphin Connection, making it the only resort in the Florida Keys to offer such an experience. Guests have the incredible opportunity to observe dolphins in their lagoon habitat and even participate in interactive programs like swimming with dolphins. The proximity of the Dolphin Connection to the main pool and lagoon area is exceptionally convenient. Our family greatly enjoyed the dolphin experience, learning about these fascinating creatures, their rescue stories, and their training. This educational and engaging activity was a highlight for both adults and children alike and is definitely an experience not to be missed.
Guests swimming and interacting with dolphins at Hawks Cay Resort's Dolphin Connection, highlighting the unique and memorable wildlife experience available to families.
Family-Friendly Dining Options for Every Palate
Dining at Hawks Cay Resort is a delightful experience with options to please even the pickiest eaters. The Marketplace offers a fantastic breakfast buffet featuring fresh juices, fruits, and classic breakfast favorites such as Belgian waffles and a custom omelet station. For a quicker breakfast, the grab-and-go option is perfect for heading straight to the pool. Marketplace also provides convenient lunch and dinner options in a relaxed poolside setting.
Throughout the day, the Tiki Bar provides poolside lunch and drink service directly to your pool chairs. The Tiki Bar remains open late, allowing guests to continue enjoying the pool area and live music into the evening. For dinner, Hawks Cay offers a range of restaurants to explore.
Angler & Ale: Casual Waterfront Dining
A short shuttle ride within Duck Key leads to Angler & Ale, a fantastic family dining spot with a spacious patio and beautiful waterfront views.
Outdoor patio dining at Angler and Ale at Hawks Cay Resort, showcasing the relaxed atmosphere and waterfront views perfect for a family meal.
We started our meal with the tuna nachos and conch fritters, both excellent choices. Angler & Ale specializes in fresh seafood, as expected in the Keys. The hogfish dinner special was particularly outstanding, ranking among the best seafood dishes we’ve enjoyed in the Florida Keys and even South Florida. The lively atmosphere, often featuring trivia at the bar and live music, adds to the dining experience. Our memorable dessert, a delicious mud pie delivered with flair by our entertaining waiter, perfectly capped off a fun family dinner.
Family enjoying a meal at Angler and Ale at Hawks Cay Resort, emphasizing the casual and welcoming dining atmosphere for families with children.
Sixty-One Prime: Elegant Yet Family-Welcoming
For a special vacation evening, Sixty-One Prime offers a casually elegant dining experience at Hawks Cay. The outdoor seating, overlooking the resort pool, was ideal for our family.
Outdoor dining area at Sixty-One Prime Restaurant at Hawks Cay Resort, highlighting the elegant ambiance and poolside views suitable for a special family dinner.
The grilled octopus and tuna appetizers were exceptional, and the intriguing mozzarella ice cream was a must-try, proving both delicious and refreshing. As a steakhouse, Sixty-One Prime excels in prime steaks, and the filet mignon was superb. The fresh fish entrée, a triple tail, was beautifully presented and equally flavorful. Sixty-One Prime balances upscale dining with a family-friendly approach, offering a children’s menu and a relaxed outdoor setting that aligns with the casual Keys vibe. And no meal in the Keys is complete without key lime pie, which was the perfect sweet ending to our dinner.
Cozy Evenings by the Fire Pit
Each evening at Hawks Cay, we enjoyed the lively ambiance around the fire pit, complete with live music. However, our kids’ favorite part of the evenings was undoubtedly the night swimming in the inviting resort pools.
Families gathered around the fire pit at Hawks Cay Resort in the evening, illustrating the cozy and social atmosphere perfect for winding down after a day of activities.
Your Perfect Florida Keys Family Getaway Awaits at Hawks Cay Resort
In conclusion, our family’s experience at Hawks Cay Resort was overwhelmingly positive, and we wholeheartedly recommend it as a top choice for Florida Keys family resorts. The resort’s extensive renovations, family-focused amenities, diverse activities, and excellent dining options make it an exceptional destination for a memorable family vacation. We eagerly anticipate our return to Hawks Cay Resort. Have you experienced the magic of Hawks Cay with your family? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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